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Chris Madrid’s: Macho Nachos and Mango Margaritas

October 29, 2015 by

Chris Madrid's started out serving tacos and burgers in 1977, but it wasn't long before patrons had picked a favorite: the burgers. Consequently, Chris Madrid's owners removed the tacos from the menu all together. They did leave a few relics of the original Mexico-inspired menu, however, including the Macho Nachos.

The reigning favorite among customers, the Macho Nachos are heaped with house-made refried beans, picadillo, and cheddar cheese. Spicy jalapeno peppers come on the side for spice as needed. You can also order the bean nachos, a similar creation, just sans the picadillo. If you have room left for the main course, try the signature tostada bean burger with the house's refried beans and cheddar cheese piled on top. Wash it all down with a mango margarita, one of the most popular libations available. Wine, beer, and other colorful cocktails are also on tap at Chris Madrid's, so take your pick.

Chris Madrid's
1900 Blanco Road
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 735-3552
www.chrismadrids.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chris-madrids-san-antonio

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Did You Know You Can Make Ice Cream With Just One Ingredient? It’s Bananas!

October 22, 2015 by

It may sound too good (and too easy) to be true, but you can make low-calorie, homemade ice cream with one simple ingredient: frozen bananas! Still unsure of how it works? Follow these simple steps to learn how to make this simple and healthy dessert after tonight’s dinner.

  1. Start with overripe bananas. While you can use yellow bananas, they won’t have the same sweet flavor and soft texture.
  2. Peel the bananas and cut them into slices. It doesn’t particularly matter if they’re all uniform.
  3. Place the banana slices into an air-tight container and freeze them in the freezer, preferably overnight or all day while you’re at work.
  4. Blend the now-frozen banana slices in a food processor. If you don’t have one, a traditional blender would also work, thought it may be a bit more difficult to remove the ice cream once it’s done.
  5. Blend until a soft-serve ice cream consistency is achieved. It may look a bit like frozen banana oatmeal at first, but after blending for five minutes or so, you’ll start to see the ice cream take shape.
  6. Eat your healthy homemade ice cream! Like any good ice cream, you can also top it with your favorite sauce, sprinkles, or even fresh fruit and nuts.

How To Make Creamy Ice Cream with Just One Ingredient! [The Kitchn]
One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream [Chop Chop]
5 Delicious Banana 'Ice Cream' Recipes [Women’s Health]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

From Produce to Peanut Brittle: Pearl Farmers Market

October 15, 2015 by

Pearl isn't a single restaurant or institution, but rather a collection of them along the San Antonio Riverwalk. Though the businesses are independent, they all share one common goal: to teach San Antonians to love food. That typically involves partnering with local farmers and producers to gather fresh ingredients, a practice you can participate in yourself at the weekly Pearl Farmers Market.

Each Saturday and Sunday morning, you can get some face time with the same purveyors who supply the restaurants (and Pearl's Culinary Institute of America) at the farmers market. Grab some fresh produce from Braune Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned farm. Pick up veggies from Kitchen Pride Mushrooms, a farm that spends seven weeks cultivating each mushroom. You can even snack on some locally famous peanut brittle from Ms. Chocolatier. No matter which prepared foods or fresh ingredients you collect at Pearl Farmers Market, you can rest assured that it was produced within a 150-mile radius of the market—that's Pearl's commitment to you.

Pearl Farmers Market
200 E. Grayson Street
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260
atpearl.com/farmers_market
www.yelp.com/biz/pearl-farmers-market-san-antonio

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

See International Art at the San Antonio Museum of Art

October 8, 2015 by

Central Texas residents are lucky to have access to the San Antonio Museum of Art, a fantastic institution that truly reflects the unique cultural traditions of the area. Housed in a building formerly occupied by the original Lone Star brewery, the museum opened in 1981. The museum's collection has steadily grown ever since, most notably with a sizable bequest from numerous trustees. Leonora and Walter F. Brown, Houston philanthropic notables, donated their Asian art collection to the museum, making it the largest museum for works from that continent in the southern United States.

Visitors rave about the diverse and eclectic holdings, which are intelligently grouped. The San Antonio Museum of Art also hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, from lively jazz nights to talks and film presentations. Tuesdays and Sundays offer free admission during certain hours.

San Antonio Museum of Art
200 W. Jones Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 978-8100
www.samuseum.org
www.yelp.com/biz/san-antonio-museum-of-art-san-antonio

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

Kirby’s Steakhouse: San Antonio Steaks

September 24, 2015 by

Kirby's Steakhouse has been a San Antonio fixture since 1954, having fed a few generations of diners their grain-fed, aged midwestern Prime Beef. Seafood, wine and some yummy sides and desserts are also on their menu, making this a pleasant spot to enjoy a meal.

Kirby's ambiance is casually elegant, with lots of dark wood and white tablecloths. Pick something from their flavorful list of appetizers to get your meal started, like Snow Crab Claws, Oysters Ladybird, Grilled Tequila Shrimp or Fried Pickle Chips. Move on to the main event with an entrée such as Prime Cowboy Cut Ribeye, Blue Ribbon Filet Mignon, Grilled Redfish with Jumbo Lump Crab, or Australian Rack of Lamb. You can also enjoy tasty side dishes including Sauteed Mushrooms, Creamed Spinach and Mushroom Risotto.

Located in San Antonio, Kirby's Steakhouse is open every day.

Kirby's Steakhouse
123 N. Loop 1604 E
San Antonio, TX 78232
(210) 404-2221
www.kirbyssteakhouse.com
www.yelp.com/biz/kirbys-steakhouse-san-antonio

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

How to Get the Most Out Your Apartment’s Square Footage

September 17, 2015 by

Whether your apartment measures 200 square feet or 1,000 square feet, how large it feels depends on how it functions. Artfully arranging your furniture and incorporating smart storage solutions can make even the tiniest studio apartment feel like a luxury penthouse loft, and these space-savvy tips will show you just how to make the most of each square foot in your rental unit.

  1. Use light to your advantage. No matter how limited you are on space, having good lighting can make all the difference. Play up your apartment’s natural light sources by using sheer curtains or blinds in light colors that invite the maximum amount of sunlight inside.
  2. Arrange – and then rearrange. Instead of moving in and leaving your furniture right where you first placed it, don’t be afraid to rearrange multiple times until you find the situation that best suits your space.
  3. Make your furniture play double-duty. Adding furniture pieces that double as storage systems (such as using a chest as a coffee table or a kitchen table as a desk) is one of the best ways to maximize the space in your apartment.

Creative Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces [Real Simple]
Make the Most of Small Spaces [Real Simple]
Designer Tricks for Small Spaces [Coastal Living]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail: Explore the Hidden Parts of San Antonio

September 10, 2015 by

The eight-mile-long San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail is a great way to spend an afternoon, locals say. Even longtime San Antonio residents say the trail has given them access to some parts of the city they didn’t even know existed. The trail connects San Antonio’s four historic missions: Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. You can learn more about Texas history and take in the scenery along the San Antonio River.

The trail isn’t a loop, so a round trip along the length of the trail will consist of 16 miles. Many locals rent bikes for a trip along the San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail. Grab water at any of the missions or get something to eat near Missions Concepcion or San Jose.

The San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail is open from dawn to dusk every day.

San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail
Between 807 Mission Road & 10040 Espada Road
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 932-1001
www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/hikebike.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/san-antonio-missions-hike-and-bike-trail-san-antonio

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

September 9, 2015 by

To enter the Sweepstakes, visit our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends October 31, 2015. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

Filed Under: Life at Avana Stone Canyon Apartments Tagged With: ,

Jacala Mexican Restaurant: Plan Your Next Taco Tuesday

August 27, 2015 by

If you find yourself craving Mexican food just about every day of the week, Jacala Mexican Restaurant is a must-try eatery in San Antonio. This award-winning locale is known for its flavorful margaritas and its unique “puffy tacos,” which are made with puffy tortilla shells that are denser than traditional tortillas. The restaurant’s menu also includes favorites like enchiladas, loaded nachos, and housemade tortilla soup, as well as a number of other combo plates and Mexican classics. Jacala also offers lunch specials throughout the week, which include low prices on combo platters and even to-go options on any of the items on its expansive menu.

There is a large selection of fruity margaritas and imported cervezas, which can be enjoyed with your meal or in the lively bar area. With a spacious, colorful interior and lively atmosphere, this is the perfect spot for a flavorful meal with friends!

Jacala Mexican Restaurant
606. West Ave
San Antonio TX 78201
(210) 732-5222
www.jacala.com

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Seeking Original Artwork? Here’s Where to Shop for It Online!

August 20, 2015 by

Furnishing your home with original artwork is a very fulfilling hobby, but unfortunately it can also be very expensive. There are quite a few websites that offer artwork created by independent artists for much less than gallery prices, which makes them beneficial to both you and the artist. Here are a few of the best.

Etsy
Etsy has become the internet’s go-to spot for handmade art and home goods, and for very good reason. This online marketplace enables independent artists to create an online shop and sell their goods, whether those goods are paintings, sculptures, or even wall hangings made out of old license plates. Best of all, you can search Etsy by keywords to find exactly what you have in mind for any room in your home.

Fine Art America
If you’re looking for more traditional paintings or photography for your home, Fine Art America is a great resource. This site features artwork from artists and photographers from around the world, at all price points.

Zatista
While many online art stores sell reproductions of famous works, Zatista offers only unique, original works that none of your neighbors will have. If you live in a small town or city that isn’t teeming with art galleries, this is the ideal way to browse thousands of pieces from artists who could be the next big thing.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,
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